What's included in this private blood test

This blood test, Thrombotic Risk Profile, requires the blood sample to be collected at our London laboratory as the blood needs to be analysed immediatley after being taken. You will not be sent a blood sample collection kit as this is provided at the laboratory.

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell which fight bacterial and viral infections. They include T cells, B cells and natural killer cells.

Lymphocytes can be elevated for many reasons but it is common for them to be raised after recent infection, particularly after the flu. They can also be raised due to autoimmune disorders and some cancers.

The most common cause for lymphocytes to be depleted is the common cold.

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell whose function is to remove parasitic infections as well as to regulate inflammation to mark an infected site.

Levels of eosinophils can be elevated if the scale of inflammation is greater than necessary to control the damage (as is the case in asthma and allergic responses) as well as in parasitic and fungal infections, autoimmune diseases and skin disorders.

Low levels of eosinophils are not usually cause for concern and can be caused by the administration of steroids.

Platelets or clotting cells are the smallest type of blood cell and are important in blood clotting. When bleeding occurs, the platelets swell, clump together and form a sticky plug (a clot) which helps stop the bleeding.

If platelet levels are raised there is an increased risk of blood clots forming in blood vessels.

If platelet levels are too low there is a risk of easy bruising and uncontrolled bleeding.